Other QBs on the market were Donovan McNabb, who probably will end up with the Vikings, if their trade with the Redskins goes through. Former Viking Tarvaris Jackson is going to Seattle. Soon-to-be-former Eagles QB Kevin Kolb is still an Eagle. And what about Carson Palmer — Cincinnati for now is refusing to trade him.

So that leaves the 49ers with Alex Smith.

There was little question Smith would be a 49er again and it is now more certain he’ll be the starter. And now the question is, Can Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman turn Smith into a viable NFL quarterback? Or are they just playing a waiting game for Colin Kaepernick … or Andrew Luck?